Violence mars campaign in Ujungpandang, 11 hurt

Violence mars campaign in Ujungpandang, 11 hurt

JAKARTA (JP): Peace held out Tuesday during rallies in the
Maluku and East Timor, where hundreds died in recent conflicts,
during a round of barnstorming by Megawati Soekarnoputri, but
violence marred campaigning in Ujungpandang, South Sulawesi.

In Ujungpandang, at least 11 were injured and 16 homes of
Golkar supporters were destroyed during a clash involving
supporters of the National Mandate Party (PAN), Golkar, the
Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) and
students of the Indonesian Muslim University (UMI).

The unrest, which until the evening, erupted following the
last round of campaigning of PDI Perjuangan.

Party supporters told The Jakarta Post that the clash between
supporters of PAN and PDI Perjuangan with Golkar was revenge for
the latter's earlier attacks on their party offices. Last week
Golkar supporters also used the reason of revenge for justifying
attacks on the offices.

Tuesday's clash between students and PDI Perjuangan supporters
was triggered by messages on banners erected in front of the UMI
campus on Jl. Urip Sumoharjo which read: "Those who choose a
woman for their leader will not be blessed," and "Do not defy the
Koran and Hadis (Prophet Muhammad's sayings) only for the choice
of a woman as president."

PDI Perjuangan believes the issue of gender is being used to
belittle the presidential aspirations of its chairwoman Megawati.

PDI Perjuangan supporters returning from a rally at
Mattoanging stadium began to tear up the banners before students
chased them away. Students then blocked the road and checked
passing vehicles for PDI Perjuangan supporters.

"This is a deep insult to us," a sobbing student said.
Students also pulled down and burned PDI Perjuangan flags.
Hundreds of the party's supporters subsequently tried to enter
the campus after their street rallies, but were blocked by
security personnel.

Three Golkar supporters, three PDI Perjuangan supporters and
two residents were rushed to two local hospitals, mostly for
wounds from stones and spears. Two vehicles were destroyed.

Wirabuana Military Commander Maj.Gen. Suaidi Marasabessy said
all sides should keep themselves in check and that the official
Supervisory Election Committee should act firmly against all
political parties involved in violating election rules.

PAN and PDI Perjuangan supporters destroyed 16 homes and
vandalizing Golkar posts, witnesses said.

The official residence of the legislative speaker here, Amin
Syam, who also is Golkar provincial chairman, was attacked and
Golkar's office was surrounded.

In contrast, calm persisted in Dili as Megawati arrived
shortly before 9:30 a.m. to a welcome from 5,000 supporters. She
took a bus to the Municipal Stadium which was crammed with 10,000
supporters garbed in the party's color of red.

Flanked by an entourage including former Udayana military
commander Theo Syafei, Megawati spoke for about 10 minutes. She
said the East Timorese "should have a big heart in participating
in the direct ballot (to determine East Timor's future)
peacefully".

The statement was a shift from her initial outright rejection
of the possibility of East Timor's separation from Indonesia
though she asked people to "develop with Indonesia." Locals
praised Megawati for her concern for the "small people" and her
close ties to Dili Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo.

Security measures in East Timor were indicated by the
occupation of prointegration faction posts by police since
Monday. Party supporters from regions were free to travel to
Dili.

Megawati met the bishop for 10 minutes during which Belo said
they discussed locals' participation in the June 7 polls and in
the direct ballot. "We asked that PDI Perjuangan help to enforce
the law in East Timor," he said.

Later in Ambon, Megawati addressed about 25,000 people for
only three minutes. Her delegated time was used up by the four-
hour trip from Pattimura Airport 40 kilometers away after her
convoy was made to stop at every village. Residents had demanded
that she travel by road instead of helicopter as planned.
Residents in Muslim-dominated areas also greeted her. The party
locally is associated with Christians.

However, party supporters disrupted a meeting of Golkar,
considered their main rival in the area. Supporters of Muslim
parties, who are migrants, have fled in the thousands after at
least 300 were killed in religious clashes since January.

In Purwokerto, Central Java, a campaign of the National
Awakening Party (PKB) saw some 100,000 supporters flocking the
town from various areas. Congestion continued from morning to
late afternoon but rallies were peaceful. Dangdut star Mega
Mustika was among the attractions.

In Surabaya, Golkar finally saw a lively campaign after three
quiet rounds. Some 1,000 supporters packed the Youth Hall. But a
group of young people with Golkar flags came in a pick-up
bringing a bouquet expressing "condolences for the death of the
Golkar Party." It was placed at a nearby intersection.

Attendants were mostly high school students who are on
holiday. A few said they were paid Rp 20,000 to Rp 50,000 each.

In Jakarta, National Awakening Party (PKB) secretary-general
Muhaimin Iskandar told at least 15,000 supporters not to choose
the United Development Party (PPP), the Golkar Party and the
Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) led by Budi Harjono, saying the
parties were founded by the New Order regime.
(30/27/48/33/30/anr/jun/ind/45/nur)